Liz Allen
Liz was a partner in our Family team in Exeter before her retirement in 2022. If you are a client of Liz or have been referred to her, please contact Andrew Barton or Sarah Walls.
Liz qualified as a solicitor in October 1986 and had over 35 years of experience in family law. Upon her retirement, Liz’s career at Stephens Scown spanned 32 years and her legacy is clear in the national recognition of the Family team and Stephen Scown’s Trainee programme.
Liz specialised in high value and complex financial work, which included: complicated pension issues, tax and valuation issues, claims against trusts, businesses and farms, inheritance issues and pre-acquired wealth.
Liz was regularly identified as one of the leading divorce lawyers in the UK by independent guides to the legal profession. She was a Band 1 Leader in her field in Chambers and Partners, and Legal 500. She also received Hall of Fame recognition from The Legal 500 – the only family lawyer in Devon and Cornwall to be included.
Liz was further recognised by the CityWealth Leaders List for 9 consecutive years – an international guide to the most highly regarded figures in private wealth management.
Her specialist expertise included:
- £30 million asset case – obtaining 50% for the wife
- Complex trusts case involving attack on dynastic family trust which was successfully protected against the wife’s claims
- Advised to avoid a major CGT charge in a case where there were 17 properties, many of which had to be transferred for tax purposes at short notice
- Successfully defended husband’s claims within a divorce against a substantial inheritance by the wife
Outside of work and now retired from Stephens Scown, Liz continues to be an obsessive gardener and enjoys cycling and cold water swimming.
Liz’s Accolades:
As a Band 1 Leader in her field in Chambers and Partners, and Legal 500, Liz had many testimonials and recommendations – a small selection include:
Chambers and Partners (2021) – “Liz Allen has an enviable reputation because she is immensely experienced, knows her law, and is practical and commercial in her approach.” “She was unfailingly efficient in carrying out the legal work and has excellent interpersonal skills.”
Citywealth Leaders List (2021) – Top 100 Private Client Lawyer – A satisfied client states: “My divorce was conducted during Covid-19, so I have never met Liz, but from our first phone call I was impressed with her ability to understand me, my situation, and explain possible outcomes in a frank and honest manner… she, and her exemplary team, have exceeded my expectations by securing my, and my son’s, long term financial security and enabled me to move on with my life in a positive way.”
Legal 500 (2021) – Hall of Fame
Chambers and Partners (2020) – Liz Allen is hailed as “the leading divorce solicitor in the South West” by sources. She has extensive experience in financial remedy proceedings arising from divorce, including mandates involving family-owned businesses and pensions. One client states: “Liz is an exceptionally accomplished lawyer whose reputation precedes her, and with good reason. I found her to have a superb manner as well as being very knowledgeable and helpful.”
Legal 500 (2020) – Hall of Fame – “Liz Allen is possibly the best known and most experienced financial remedy solicitor in the South West. She takes on the biggest cases and settles the vast majority but fights when she needs to. Whatever the problem she will have seen it before and will know how to deal with it.”
Karen Jones, CEO and editor of Citywealth – Liz’s reputation with clients has been built over many years, which is why we are delighted to recommend her in the Citywealth Leader’s List. She has become an important and successful brand in family law and her clients have told us “she is simply one of the very best in the South West” and “Right from the start I was listened to carefully and my thoughts and wishes were accommodated whenever possible. The solicitor dealing with my matter always acted promptly, she explained everything in clear English so that I could understand my options, and at all times she conducted my case with honesty and integrity. Best of all thanks to her skills and knowledge the outcome of my divorce far exceeded my wildest expectations. Just look at the accolades this team have won and you will put your case in their safe hands.”